Professor Nightshade moved like a shadow between the elemental pillars, her voice carrying softly yet clearly throughout the circular classroom. "Conventional theory teaches that each person possesses affinity for a single element, determined by bloodline. Today, we challenge that simplistic view."
Alexander watched intently as she gestured toward the five glowing pillars—red, blue, green, white, and violet—representing the elemental houses.
"Elements are not merely separate forces but aspects of a unified magical reality," she continued. "The boundaries between them are more permeable than most practitioners realize."
The third-year students nodded, familiar with this concept. Alexander, however, found himself reevaluating everything he thought he knew about this world's magic system. The novel had portrayed elemental affinities as fixed and unchangeable—a convenient plot device to emphasize the forbidden nature of Claire and Lucas's cross-house relationship.
"Mr. Flamingo," Professor Nightshade called suddenly, "you've demonstrated unusual fluctuations between fire and... something else. Please approach the pillars."
Alexander rose calmly, though he felt the weight of every gaze in the room. He walked to the center of the circle where the five crystalline columns pulsed with elemental energy.
"Place your hand near—not touching—each pillar in turn," she instructed. "Tell us what you feel."
Alexander began with the red fire pillar, holding his hand an inch away from its warm surface. "Heat, of course. A sense of movement, expansion."
He moved to the blue water pillar. "Coolness. Rhythm, like gentle waves."
The green earth pillar: "Stability. Resistance, but not rejection."
The white air pillar: "Lightness. A subtle pushing sensation."
Finally, the violet shadow pillar: "Depth. A pulling inward, like gravity."
Professor Nightshade's expression remained carefully neutral, but Princess Serena leaned forward with undisguised interest.
"Most students," the professor noted, "feel strong connection to their primary element and varying degrees of resistance from others. Your experience suggests unusual receptivity across the elemental spectrum."
Alexander returned to his seat, aware that he'd just demonstrated another ability not mentioned anywhere in the original story.
"Receptivity differs from affinity," Professor Nightshade continued, addressing the entire class again. "One may sense all elements while still channeling primarily through their dominant affinity. However, those with potential Sovereign Emblems—like Princess Serena—can actually harness multiple elemental forces."
The lesson continued with theoretical discussions far beyond anything in the first-year curriculum. Alexander absorbed everything, comparing this complex magical system with the simplified version portrayed in the novel. The author had either deliberately simplified elemental mechanics or lacked knowledge of these advanced concepts.
As the class ended, Professor Nightshade approached Alexander while the other students gathered their materials.
"Impressive sensitivity for a first-year," she observed. "The Headmaster suggested you might benefit from additional readings." She offered a small leather-bound book. "This text discusses elemental boundaries and transitional states. Return it when you've finished."
Alexander accepted the book with appropriate gratitude, noting its worn cover bearing no title. Another deviation—in the original story, the teachers had barely acknowledged his character beyond disciplinary issues.
[Look at you, teacher's pet already! How the tables have turned!]
As students filed out, Princess Serena waited by the door. "Walk with me?" she suggested when Alexander approached.
They descended the spiral staircase together, the princess maintaining a dignified pace that nonetheless allowed for comfortable conversation.
"Professor Nightshade rarely lends her personal books," Serena noted, glancing at the volume in Alexander's hand. "She must see significant potential in you."
"I'm honored by her confidence," Alexander replied modestly, "though still confused by these changes in my emblem."
"Changes often accelerate during adolescence," Serena explained. "The Academy environment itself can stimulate latent abilities—all that ambient elemental energy from hundreds of students practicing daily."
Information not included in the novel. Alexander filed it away carefully.
"Your own emblem..." he began tentatively.
"Stabilized when I was fourteen," she supplied. "Before that, it shifted between silver and multiple other colors, primarily air and shadow. The process can be... unsettling."
They reached the base of the tower, emerging into the midday sunlight. Students crossed the courtyard between classes, house colors creating a moving tableau of elemental affiliations.
"I'm hosting a small gathering this evening," Serena said suddenly. "Just a few students from different houses who share interests in advanced elemental theory. Would you join us?"
Alexander maintained his composed expression while inwardly reassessing. In the novel, Princess Serena had hosted exclusive gatherings, but the perverted Alexander had never received an invitation. This represented another significant divergence from the original timeline.
"I'd be honored," he replied.
"Excellent. The Silver Commons in the central tower, eighth floor, after evening meal." She smiled briefly. "Dress is casual, but bring your curiosity."
With that, she glided away toward a group of silver-uniformed royal guards who always maintained discreet distance from the princess—another detail the novel had overlooked.
[A private party with the princess! My, my, moving up in the world already. She's definitely harem material with that silver emblem and royal status.]
"She's more important than the novel suggested," Alexander murmured, watching her retreating figure. "And potentially more useful."
His next class—Practical Applications with Master Flint—would begin soon in the training grounds behind Ignis Tower. Alexander made his way there, mind calculating the implications of these unexpected developments.
The training grounds consisted of five circular arenas, each designed for a specific elemental practice. Students in red uniforms already gathered around the fire circle, where black iron targets stood at various distances.
Master Flint, a burly man with burn scars covering his left arm, nodded gruffly as Alexander joined the group. "Flamingo. Heard about your crystal test. Let's see if you can back it up with actual control."
In the novel, this moment had marked the beginning of Alexander's downfall. The original character had boasted extravagantly, then failed embarrassingly, setting the pattern of compensation through inappropriate behavior.
"I'll do my best, sir," Alexander responded instead, displaying none of his predecessor's arrogance.
Master Flint raised an eyebrow at his unexpected modesty. "You're up first then. Target three, basic flame projection."
Alexander stepped into the circle, facing the indicated target forty feet away. Around him, Ignis students watched with varying degrees of curiosity and skepticism. According to his borrowed memories, Alexander Flamingo had always produced weak, unfocused flames despite his family's strong fire lineage.
He raised his hand, emblem facing forward, and channeled his power using the system's visualization technique. Heat built within his core, flowing smoothly down his arm. The emblem glowed amber, then released a controlled stream of fire that struck the center of the target with precision.
Master Flint's eyes narrowed. "Again. Target five."
Alexander complied, directing an equally controlled flame toward a more distant target. Then another. And another, each demonstration showing masterful control that the original Alexander had never possessed.
After the fifth successful attempt, murmurs spread through the watching students. Master Flint folded his scarred arms across his broad chest.
"Your father reported your projection barely reached ten feet last summer," he stated bluntly. "Explain."
Alexander offered a humble shrug. "I've been practicing diligently, sir. And something seems to have... changed since arriving at the Academy."
"Hmm." The instructor studied him a moment longer. "Well, whatever you're doing, keep at it. Next student!"
Alexander stepped back, aware of the appraising looks from his classmates. Another crucial deviation from the original story—instead of humiliation, he'd demonstrated competence that would alter how others perceived him.
As the class progressed, Alexander participated modestly, showing skill without drawing excessive attention. When they finished, several Ignis students approached him with newfound respect, including Marcus Emberheart—a minor character who, in the novel, had joined the chorus mocking Alexander after his expulsion.
"Impressive control, Flamingo," Marcus commented. "Didn't know you had it in you."
"Recent development," Alexander responded with carefully calibrated friendliness.
"A few of us practice together evenings in the south courtyard," Marcus offered. "You should join."
Another invitation that the original Alexander had never received. The ripple effects of his changed behavior were expanding rapidly.
[Your charm score just keeps climbing! From reviled pervert to popular prodigy in three days. I'm getting excited just watching your progress!]
Alexander accepted the invitation with appropriate enthusiasm while inwardly mapping these changes against his long-term plans. The story was diverging dramatically from the novel's path, creating both opportunities and unknowns.
As students dispersed toward the dining hall for midday meal, Alexander felt a peculiar sensation—a subtle awareness of being watched. He glanced casually around the training ground and caught a glimpse of Claire Aquamarine observing from the adjacent water circle, her expression thoughtful.
In the novel, she'd barely noticed Alexander Flamingo before his disgraceful expulsion. Now she was watching him with undisguised interest.
Everything was changing. The perverted villain was fading from existence, replaced by something far more dangerous—a calculating manipulator with knowledge of a future that grew less certain with each passing hour.